Former Spanish Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias took to X to post a message in English defending Díaz-Canel's government and blaming the U.S. embargo for the Cuban people's hardships. This sparked a wave of angry responses from Cubans online who unanimously rejected his defense.
He wrote, "Donald Trump is strangling the Cuban people with economic sanctions and a blockade tougher than any before, while threatening military intervention weekly."
Iglesias urged readers to "Imagine the suffering the blockade and fuel import bans are causing. Why treat Cuba this way?"
Controversial Visit and Statements
During a visit to Cuba in March with the humanitarian flotilla "Nuestra América Convoy to Cuba," Iglesias acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction with the Cuban government. However, he refused to criticize it under U.S. pressure, questioning his role as a "European leftist" and whether he should criticize the Cuban government or give a platform to anti-communist voices already prevalent in Western media.
He concluded that "decency demands defending both the Cuban people and their government" amid external pressures.
Fierce Cuban Reactions
Cubans were quick to respond, emphasizing that "Decency demands freedom for Cuba after 67 years of dictatorship." One user urged Iglesias to let Cubans speak for themselves and called for political prisoners to be released and free elections held.
Another user directly blamed Díaz-Canel and the elites benefiting at the expense of the people, stating, "Who is suffocating Cubans are Díaz-Canel and those living lavishly off the people."
Hypocrisy and Irony
Many criticized Iglesias for his apparent hypocrisy, pointing out that he stayed at the luxurious Grand Suite of the Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja Meliá Collection, recording videos that downplayed the crisis while enjoying accommodations costing over 200 euros per night.
One comment questioned the humanitarian aid supposedly brought by his flotilla, accusing him of whitewashing the dictatorship instead. Others demanded he address the issue of political prisoners, highlighting that Prisoners Defenders documented 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba by the end of February, including 31 minors.
The irony was not lost, with one commenter noting Iglesias's failure to see repression, censorship, or corruption during his visit, likening it to narratives about Venezuela. A Venezuelan user thanked Donald Trump for his actions against Nicolás Maduro, expressing hope for similar action in Cuba.
Iglesias's tweet comes amid record levels of Cuban regime repression, as noted by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, which documented at least 366 repressive actions in April 2026. Díaz-Canel's Easter pardon notably excluded political prisoners, dissidents, and 11J protesters.
Summing up the Cuban response, one user asked rhetorically, "Where have you been, aspiring dictator?" referring to the Cuban Communist Party's six decades of oppression.
Key Questions Regarding the Cuban Embargo and International Reactions
What was Pablo Iglesias's main argument in his tweet?
Pablo Iglesias argued that the U.S. embargo and sanctions were the primary causes of suffering in Cuba, defending the Cuban government against these pressures.
How did Cubans respond to Iglesias's statements?
Cubans responded with outrage, emphasizing that true decency demands freedom for Cuba and criticizing Iglesias for his perceived hypocrisy and defense of the regime.
What criticisms did Iglesias face regarding his visit to Cuba?
Critics highlighted Iglesias's stay in a luxury hotel and questioned the humanitarian aid purportedly brought by his flotilla, accusing him of minimizing the Cuban crisis.